149 ANDOVER ST
architectural description
NRIND NRMRA LHD
Style: Queen Anne - Romanesque
Former Grammar School built in 1889. Converted to 9 Multy Family residences in 1981. 10 - 11units, 2 owner occupied. Dramatic hilltop setting
historical narrative
Change in street number from 147 to 149???
Original owner: - Town of Andover
Themes: Architectural, Community development, Education
Historical significance: Earliest building used for school in Ballardvale was on Lowell Road, now Clark Road. (May have been building Revolutionary patriot James Otis taught in, formerly on Osgood Farm and moved to Ballardvale to be used as first school)
Cornerstone laid 1889. During construction as before , classes held in Ballardvale Community Center.
Andover Townsman: "The rafters for the new school (Ballardvale) are in place. The view from the top of the chimney in magnificent, as it is far above any natural or artificial elevation in the village".
1894, school officially named for Josiah Putnam Bradlee, proprietor of Ballardvale Mills, Boston businessman and benefactor of Ballardvale; (gave his personal library for public circulation in 1878; founded community center etc.).
School turned over to Town of Andover, 1957 - 1958. Up for auction, Oct 1964. Future uncertain at present time , 1975)
note by Ruth Sharpe: Sold at Auction in 1981.
June 1990, Andover Preservation Award for Adaptive Reuse.
bibliography/references
Andover Historical society files - schools; also families - Bradlee, Josiah P obituary
Andover Townsman: Oct 15 1954; 3/14
Andover Townsman: Oct 15 1964; Mar 14 1946
Superintendent's Office: Andover School System
School reports 1753-293, 1983-91
Lawrence Eagle Tribune: Oct 22 1964
Book 758 pg. 52 (31 Dec 1951)
inventory data
| Place: | Ballardvale |
| Historic District: | Not Applicable |
| Address: | 149 andover st |
| Historic Name: | Bradlee School |
| Present Use: | Condominiums |
| Original Use: | School house |
| Date of Construction: | 1889 |
| Source: | Date on stone on building |
| Style/Form: | Other |
| Architect/Builder: | Merrill & Cutler Revival? |
| Foundation: | brick/stone |
| Wall/Trim: | brick |
| Roof: | Originally Slate |
| Outbuildings / Secondary Structures | car ports (19) |
| Major Alterations: | Changed to 10 condominiums (Nov 1981) Carports (Nov 1981) |
| Condition: | |
| Moved: | |
| Demolished: | |
| Acreage: | 1 acre; Approx. frontage: 40' |
| Setting: | Dramatic site on hill, about 300ft. From street |
| MHC inventory number: | ANV.23 |
| Recorded by: | Stack/Mofford; Ruth Sharpe (Ballardvale Historic District) |
| Organization: | Andover Historical Commission |
| Date: | 1975 - 1977; Feb 1998 |
other historic buildings
- on andover st
- in Not Applicable
- with architectural style Other
Bancroft Hall moving
